Whilst rowing across the entire Pacific Ocean, unsupported and non-stop, the Maclean Brothers have somehow found the time to host chats (over delicious freeze-dried dinners) with various celebrity guests across the world.
"There needs to be suffering": Jim Hamilton talks to the Maclean Brothers about doing hard things .
Men are all the same in looking for value, belonging, and doing hard things.
That was one of the key takeaways from the Maclean Brothers’ conversation with ex-rugby legend and now podcast heavyweight Jim Hamilton.
After a glittering rugby career - winning the European Champions Cup, two Premiership titles, captaining Gloucester, and earning 64 caps for Scotland - Jim has built a second career as one of the giants of podcasting with The Rugby Pod and The Big Jim Show.
The brothers connected with Jim mid-Pacific, learning from a big fish of podcasting while still out at sea. Jim opened up about life after rugby: the aggression and intensity of professional sport, how he replaces that with hard training, and why fitness remains the cornerstone of his mental health and identity.
In return, the brothers shared their reality after 131 days on the oars - the nutrition, recovery, and mindset needed to keep going on the world’s biggest ocean.
27 Aug 2025
Kenton Cool
In this episode of Dinner with the Macleans, the brothers are joined by one of the most accomplished mountaineers in history - Kenton Cool, who’s summited Everest an astonishing 19 times.
Recorded from the middle of the Pacific Ocean, this is a rare crossover between the world’s highest peaks and deepest waters. From shift patterns and food rations to expedition morale and mental resilience, Kenton shares his hard-won philosophies on adventure, challenge, and how to keep going when the darkness sets in.
There’s also talk of hair ties, freeze-dried reindeer stew, and why bagpipes might be the most surprising piece of expedition kit yet.
Former rugby legend and all-round legend Donncha O’Callaghan joins the Maclean Brothers from their boat in the Pacific for an episode full of laughs, life lessons, and the kind of wisdom only years on and off the pitch can bring.
They talk fatherhood, radical honesty, suffering (the good kind), and the power of showing up for others - whether on the field or in the middle of the ocean. Packed with heart, humour and inspiration, this one’s a proper belter.
13 Aug 2025TRANSCRIPT
Sam Heughan - Whisky, Waves & Steiner Days
Sam HeughanThis week on Dinner with the Macleans, we’re joined by Scottish actor, adventurer, and whisky‑maker Sam Heughan. Out in the middle of the Pacific, we swapped stories about adventure, resilience, and the joy of wild places—and even bonded over our shared roots at Steiner School, which shaped both of our journeys in wonderful ways.
From life lessons in the classroom to lessons learned on the open water, this chat dives into what drives us to chase challenges and keep exploring.
Pour yourself a dram and join us for a brilliant conversation with Sam Heughan.
Dinner with The Macleans is a podcast recorded entirely at sea, as three brothers row unsupported across the Pacific Ocean - from Peru to Australia.
24 Jul 2025TRANSCRIPT
Strange Bedfellows - Stoltman Brothers
What happens when the world’s strongest brothers meet the world’s most stubborn rowers?
In this episode, Tom and Luke Stoltman - two-time World’s Strongest Man and Europe’s Strongest Man - sit down with the Maclean Brothers for a conversation of strength, brotherhood, and a shared Scottish grit
From lifting cars to rowing oceans, the two sets of brothers talk about mental strength, sibling dynamics, and what it means to take on the impossible together.
Dinner with The Macleans is a podcast recorded entirely at sea, as three brothers row unsupported across the Pacific Ocean — from Peru to Australia.
21 Jul 2025TRANSCRIPT
Rowing to the Other Side of the world - Flea
From the middle of the Pacific Ocean to West Coast of America, this episode brings together three Scottish brothers in a 28-foot rowboat… and Flea - the legendary bassist of the Red Hot Chili Peppers.
They chat about creativity, discomfort, and the power of finding rhythm in the chaos. Flea opens up why he loves pushing his body and mind to extremes, and what it means to truly be present - whether you’re on stage or at sea.
It’s a funny and surprising conversation full of music, meaning, and mutual respect.
Dinner with The Macleans is recorded entirely at sea, as three brothers row unsupported from Peru to Australia.
17 Jul 2025TRANSCRIPT
Lamb Saag at Night - Ewan McGregor
This very special episode opens with an unexpected moment: Jamie on the bagpipes, playing Amazing Grace from the middle of the Pacific Ocean — a surprise performance for fellow Scot and screen legend Ewan McGregor.
What follows is a warm, reflective conversation about adventure, identity, and the power of home. Ewan shares stories from his solo motorcycle trips, his deep connection to Scotland.
It’s a meeting of kindred spirits, brought together by a love of challenge, movement, and meaning. One boat. One freeze-dried dinner. One unforgettable guest.
Dinner with The Macleans is a podcast recorded entirely at sea, as three brothers row unsupported across the Pacific Ocean — from Peru to Australia, chasing purpose one oar stroke at a time.
17 Jul 2025TRANSCRIPT
“If you connect, you connect.” | Leif Vollebekk
What do you talk about when your favourite singer-songwriter dials in from his recording studio… and you’re on the other end floating in the middle of the Pacific Ocean?
In this episode, Leif Vollebekk joins the Maclean Brothers mid-ocean to talk about music, surfing, fear, and finding rhythm in unlikely places.
They get into:
– Where the brothers are right now on their 9,000 mile row– Leif’s surf sessions in New Zealand and Australia– Why writing is easier in the hard times– Cleaning the hull (aka jumping in with the sharks)– And yes, Jamie plays the bagpipes
Dinner with The Macleans is a podcast recorded entirely at sea, as three brothers row unsupported from Peru to Australia, raising £1 million for clean water projects in Madagascar.
15 Jul 2025TRANSCRIPT
Jimmy Nicholson - Flying on the crest of a wave
Dinner with The Macleans - Jimmy Nicholson
In this episode, the brothers share a freeze-dried meal with TV host, pilot and adventurer Jimmy Nicholson - all the way from the middle of the Pacific Ocean to his kitchen in Sydney.
From his time on The Bachelor to life in the skies and a growing love for the ocean, Jimmy opens up about finding real connection through travel, pushing yourself beyond comfort, and why he’s always looking for the next big challenge.
Expect reflections on risk, routine, and rowing across the world — plus a few laughs over the joys (and horrors) of freeze-dried chilli.
Dinner with The Macleans is a podcast recorded entirely at sea, as three Scottish brothers attempt to become the first trio to row unsupported from Peru to Sydney.
3 Jul 2025TRANSCRIPT
“Who’s most likely to be thrown overboard?” | Greg Hemphill
Comedian Greg Hemphill quizzes the Maclean brothers, Ewan Maclean, Jamie Maclean, and Lachlan Maclean, about their 9,000-mile row across the Pacific Ocean, revealing insights into their life at sea in this interview.
1 Jul 2025TRANSCRIPT
Being Alone On The Ocean - Jess Watson
In this special episode, the brothers sit down with sailing legend Jess Watson - who, at just 16 years old, became the youngest person to sail solo, non-stop and unassisted around the world.
Jess shares her insights on fear, focus, and finding purpose in the middle of the ocean. They talk about what it means to be truly alone, how to build resilience through routine, and the challenges that come after the finish line.
It’s a conversation about adventure, identity, and what happens when you chase something bigger than yourself.
Dinner with The Macleans is a podcast recorded entirely at sea, as three Scottish brothers row unsupported across the Pacific Ocean - from Peru to Australia.
26 Jun 2025
Dinner at Sea | Lorraine Kelly
Scottish brother trio Ewan Maclean, Jamie Maclean, and Lachlan Maclean discuss the challenges and camaraderie of rowing across the Pacific Ocean with Lorraine Kelly, highlighting their mission to provide clean water in Madagascar; this is an interview.
26 Jun 2025
Dinner at Sea | Rob Wainwright
Former rugby player Rob Wainwright joins Ewan MacLean, Jamie MacLean, and Lachlan MacLean on their boat to discuss teamwork, mental toughness, and the shared mindset of ocean rowing and endurance athletics in this interview.
23 Jun 2025
Who would you trust to row the Pacific Ocean with? | Blair Kinghorn
Ewan Maclean, Jamie Maclean, and Lachlan Maclean interview Blair Kinghorn about his rugby career, ocean rowing lessons, and which Scotland Rugby player he trusts for a Pacific crossing, revealing insights into resilience and camaraderie.
13 Jun 2025
"I'll remember this for the rest of my life" | Mark Beaumont
Endurance athlete Mark Beaumont joins Ewan Maclean, Jamie Maclean, and Lachlan Maclean to discuss the mental and physical challenges of rowing across the Pacific Ocean, highlighting resilience and camaraderie in this interview.
Inside a recent episode
Jim Hamilton - "There needs to be suffering'"
Published 23 Sept 2025 · Transcript excerpt
[…] You'd start recovering. We've all felt terrible. Our backs have been in absolute fits. We're so conditioned to just rowing 15 hours a day. So I think Chloe's... It's going to be lots of mobility. We'll probably try and do a bunch of yoga. There was loads of mobility in the lead-up as well, just getting our joints ready for... for the, for the crossing. And then I think it will probably start with some bike stuff. It's like get the legs moving. Cause that's, that kind of motion is we've not, we won't be used to that at all. And then hopefully beyond that, maybe start doing some skipping and yeah, then ease back into kind of normality, a bit of running maybe. […]
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